
Class r 7-^ 

Book, ' 



A 



CENTURY 



S E 



M O 



Preached at the First-ParisH^ /^^^' 



in lantastet. 



May 2Sth if ^2" 

By TIMOTHY HARRINGTON, 

Piftor of the Firft Church in Laricalter. 

Tfk hadnot been tlie Lord, 'ujho u-as or: ow side., noiv may 
Israel say — If it had hot been the Lord vjho urns on our 
side ivhen men roze up against us ; then they had swal- 
lovjed us up quicks when their ivrcuk U'as kindled against 
T.IS — Blessed be the Lord, ^ho hath not gi'uen us a prey 
to their teeth. Duvid. 



/wr'/V remember the years of the right hand of the Most- 
Kigh, — / ijoill remember the ivorh of the Lord : surely 
I iiiili remember thy ^ixo.iders of old. Asaph. 



LEOIvIINSTER: 
. pRirrtED i!" S. &" J. VV';lder,' 
for Mh JOSHUA FLETCHER, of Lancaster. 

—July ISOG,— 






Toxhe Firfi-Parifa in Lancaster 

THE following difcourfe is 
Dedicated by theirs in the Gof- 
pel. T. Harrington. 




4 



Centurv-SERMON. 



P S A L M cxxix. 1, 2. 

Many a time hai}e they afflicted me from my Youth, vzay 
Israel ;/(Wu say : 

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth ; yet 
they have not prei: ailed against me. 



^^j^cfi^^c Century from the Incorporation of the 

^^®?SSS Tom^n this day expires— And altho' it 
^?^9 A ^§?^5 was long a Frontier, and has often sufr'tTed 
®^^S9-?feS the Furj' of the Enemy; is yet fair, and 
SSSSS nourishing. 

The Church of God has been his peculiar care in all 
ages of the world — And therefore altho' the seed of the 
Serpent have often persecuted the seed of the Woman ; 
yet they have never been able fully to accomplish thpir 
desires — The adversaiy hath often lifted up the Horn, 
and tliey that hate Mount-Sion have often bro't her Xow; 
yet they have been no more tha^ a scourge in the hand 
pf God, to chastise Iiis people, to correct what was a- 
miss, and to make them more humble and fervent ia 
his service : Yet the enemy meant not so. 

The Church in this world is in a militant state, and may 
v/ell expect shocking assaults from those that hate her. — 
She hath been troubled on every side, aial perplexed. 



jt ^ CENTimr^SERMON. 

but not in despair ; persecuted, but not forsaken ; cast 
down, but nat destroyed ; a bush burning, but not con- 
sumed. 

It vms frequently thus with Israel, v,:hile they continu'd 
the peculiar people of God — Many a time have they af- 
f.icted me from my youth up, may Israel now say, many 
a time have they afflicted mc from my youth; yet they 
have not prevailed against me. 

Interpreters ngree that this Psalm was vrritten, when 
some liO.'-A' and lieavy Galamity either pressed hard upon, 
or impended that people. — ^Eut whether when Smachc- 
rib, V 'ith the host of Assyria inx'-aded Judsa ; or v»hen 
Sanhallat^ and Confederates, afier the return of the cap- 
tivity, made interest against them in the Court of Persia; 
or at some other calamitous season ; is neither eas)', nor 
important to determine. 

For whatever was the particular occasion of the writ- 
ing ; the design is manifestly to excite that people to a 
serioiis recollection of the numerous calamities bro't upon 
them by their Enemies, ever since their being taken into 
covenant with, and made the peculiar people of God — 
A,s.also to acknowledge the merciful interpositions of God 
for them ; who notwithstanding their frequent rebellions 
against hiiri, had not sufieied theirEnemies so far to pre- 
vail, as to cut them off from being a People. 

T^t tksy ha-jo not prxijo.ikil. against me, is not to be unt 
cerstood in the strictest sense^ as if diey had never been, 
overcome, or bro't into subjection by iheir Enemies — fo^ 
in this sense it is uot true, as appears from the Scripturer,. 
Histoiy of that Church and People. ~ 

The m^eaning tlierefore is, dicy have never been able 
wholly to extirpate us, or to cut us off from being ^* 
Church and Nation.— 

Our Text is veil paraphras'd by a learned Prelate. +- 

*' Our adversaries,^' may /^;-jc/ now on this occasion 
say, " have very often, and very screl}' distressed us, ev-. 
*' er since we began to be a People; it is hard to tell how 
*• often, or into hov/ great straits they have reduc'd us, 
*' since v/e began to be a Nation ; and yet by the speciai 

t B.p. Patrick in loc. 



A ^ENTURT-SBRMON. 5 

<«fkv6\if ofGod, they have never been able to accbia- 
*^ plish their desire of our utter iixtirpaticij^^." 
JtVom the ¥/ords let us considi^r, 

I. The Church and People of Goq^ as frequently rifHic- 
ted by tht:ir Eneniiea^ ai;d yet pres^vcd from utter 
nim : And, 

J2. As as<5ribing t}-f& Gloiy of their Prefer viition unto 
. Goi>. 

I.-'Thtn let us consider the Chufch and People cf God, 
as frequently afiiictvd by their KncinkS) aua}ct prcser\T'' 
cd from utter ruin. 

The History of their niRiction and Prei*.: vaticn, ficni 
th.ek soj. yarning ia Egypt, to the ReiQ;n of Ahaydcru:; 
King oi Persia^ you huve on sacred Utcord, and is there- 
fore unnecessary to be recited feere. — 

- After the return of the captivity froin Bahylcn, the 
Jc"Ji:s wtxt subject to the Ptrslam till ihe clestruclion oi 
tlieir Emph-e-T— and had the privilege of being gcverned 
by their own laws, under the Administration of the Tir- 
shaihc, in conjunction TMth tiie High- Priest, and gieut 
Sanhedrim.. 

But v/lien the Grecian Ercpir^ ai'ose on the lluins-of 
the Persian, the Jews became i^iibject to Alexar-der t!:? 
Great — who being incensed by them, while at the siege 
of Tyre, immediately after the reduction of it, marches • 
for Jerusalem, with a design of severe revenge. — In X\ui 
distress, Goddirected Jaddua, the high priest, in his pen- 
tincal robes,v/ith the Priests in their habits, snd tl-ic inhah- 
itaiits of Jerusalem in white t^arments to f/o foii'i in pro- 
cession, to meet him. 

T%is was exactly agreeable ta a vision he had ocen at 
I)io in Macedonia, encouraging him to march into Asi^i, 
and assuring him of the conquest. At the nrstsij^jht tlicrei^ 
fore Alexander concluded him to be the priest cfthaLCci 
who conducted Iiis arms ; and embracinp; him with re- 
spect, went into the city, and offered sacrifice to the G^vi 
of Israel, and a,t his depiirture granted large favours to 
them. 

* Fide Srackhou::ey on the state of the j£%v$ wider th^ 
Persianr, Grecians and Roma:iSi ^-o tiie coming of Christ — - 
And Prijeaux's Connect. 



,<5 -f CEb^TURTrSERMON. 

After tu3 dcith of Alexander, his Empire v%'a5 divided 
amonf^ four ox his Captains, the foiir Horns spoken of \% 
the Prophet Dani^-^I.^^And- Egypt fell to the shar6 of PtOr 
icmy Soter, v/ho laid siege to Jerusalem; ; and mak-.ing a 
general assaijit on the sabbatlx, wheii the. Jews supersti- 
to'.isly refused to defend then>sclves, he carried the City, 
and captivated an hundred thousaad.-rrBut on considera- 
tion of their fidelity to former Princes, to A^'honi they had 
been sabjected, he conferred on then; jnan^' valuable pri- 
vileges aiid immunities, ■ : 

And the Jews continued subject to Egypt about an hunv 
died years — but then a war arising bet^veen Ptolemy 
Epiphanes King of Eg}'pt, and Antiochus the great King 
of Syria, and Antioehus being victorious in the war, the 
Jcv.'s submitted unto him. 

Seleucus Fhilcpater, succeeded Antioehus in the 
Throne of Syria, who being informed of immense 
treasures in the Temple of Jerusalem, sent lielicdorus to 
make the seizure of them ; and he forcibly entering the 
Temple for that purpose, was struck speechless by a Yi- 
•sion, fell to the ground, and was carried of: by his Ser- 
vants, frustrated in his design. 

Antioehus Epiphanes, a most cruel Fersecutcr of the 
Churcii and people of God, succeeded Seleucus — He as- 
saulted Jerusalem, and took it, and slew fort\' thousand, 
?iid sold as many into slavery- — He also forced liimself in- 
to the Holy of Holies, he oiFered a swine on the Altar cf 
Holocaust, defiled the Temple, and plundered boih that, 
iud the City, 

t And as if this had been but a .small thing, he aftcr- 
vrards tent one of his Gcnemls with an Army and express 
prdpr lo dc:r;trcy all the men remaining in Jerusalem, v.-id 
lo enslave the wpmen and childrcii , w ho f^}i on the City 
on ihv sabb.^th, v. hen they were at their devotions, massa- 
cred the Men, and captivated the v.omcn i^uul children. 

After this ca:ne forth an Edict, for all nations [but 
chiefly levelled qt the Jcvvs] to forsake their cv/n religion, 
and conform to that of the King. 

And the onicer to whom he had committed the exc- 

"^Vkk 2 Maccab. 3, 4, 5, C if 7 Chapters. 



A CE^UR T-SERMOH. % 

cutlbn of this unreasonable Decree, coming to Jerusalem, • 
caused the daily sacrince to cease, suppressed the rights 
of the Jewish worship, burnt the Law of Moses ; conse- 
crated the Ttmpie to Jupiter Olympius, set up his Image 
on the Altar, and compelled the people on pain of death 
to offer sacrifice to it. 

Such as were found assembled for divine v.orship in 
the Caves were bumt^^And Eleazer, Solornona and her 
seven Sons, with numerous ethers, chose rather to sub- 
mit to the most exquisite tormcntSj than forsake their 
God. 

And to this fime it is supposed the Author of the 
Epistle to the Hebrews alludes ; sayin^^, * Some were tor- 

* tured not accepting deliverarxe, that they might obtain 

* a better resurrection — Others had trial of cruel mcck- 

* ings, yea moreover of bonds and inlprisonments. They 

* were stoned, they were sawn asunder, v/ere burned,* 

* were slain with the sword — I'hey waridered about in 
' Sheepskins, and Goatskins, in the deserts Sc mountains, 

* dens and caves of the earth, destitute, afilicted, tormen- 
' ted. 

But altho' God at this time severely rebuked his Peo- 
ple, } et He did not utterly forsake them ; but excited 
Mattathias. and his valiant sons, to stand up in the cause 
of Israel ; who raising armies, not only made a gallant 
stand, but obtained many signal victories over their op- 
pressors. — And three years and a half after the pollution 
of the Temple, they purify'd it, and afresh dedicated it 
to the Lord ; which v.'as the original of the Feast of Ded- 
ication spoken of in the New- Testament. 

The Maccabean Family lue said to have iield the Gov- 
ernment of Judea for above an hundred years; and some 
part of the time as Sovereign Princes, until a dilFerence 
arising between Hyreanus and Aristobulus, two Princes 
of that^ Blood ; they refer'd it to Pompey the Great, a R{5"- 
man General, then in Ccelosyria — But he refusing fully X6 
hear the matter before his arrival in Jerusalem ; Aristo- 
bulus distrustino: his cause.fled and shut un himself in the 
fortress of Alexaiidrion } but on the approach of r cmpey, 

* Sec Wkitby a:: the place. 



« ACENTVRrsERMQk. 

sarrGndered liimsdf.-r-Howcvcr, his party at JcrusaUni 
seised the Moxiat of the Temple, and made preparatioii 
fer a vigorous defepce-— 0>i Vvhich ?ompey marched hi^ 
'i'hole army to Jerusalem, besieged and took the place* 
and p\U t\v"eive thousand to the sword. 

Alter thio» Rafiis another Roman Ceneral, J)Iundered 
the Te^Tipie.-i^And, 

After this, Herod the great, tlie Son of Antipas, a nc - 
bt€ Idamea;]!, obtriined the Kingdom of Jiidea, by a full 
vote of the Rcnnn Senate.— ^!n his tinie Our blesses 
LoRB was born and the infants murdered at Bclhlehem. 

But notv/jthstandinr the afflictions of Israel, from the 
infuncy of their nation, they continued the Church and 
peculiar people of God., uniii the appearance of the Mks- 
3IAS, totake down the wall of partition bttv.-cen Jeiu 
^ind Gent''h\ 'A\\^ ■in\\\\ the Coifstitu'ion they wei-e ur.der 
had stood its appointed time — -And lintilbj the greatest of 
all crime:-?, the Crucifixion of their Mess i as, they had 
provoked Go J to deliver then! to the power of their ene- 
vnics. r- 

And the preservation of the Christian Church under 
fjer aiUiction and Adversity, hath been as remarkable a$ 
the preservj.'-ion cf the Jewish; 

For altlio' the people of the Jews combined against it j 
and altho' the Heathen rag'd, the ilings of the Kaith set 
themselves, and the Rulers took Counsel together to ov- 
erthrow it; yet their counsels were turned into foolishness, 
and tiiey unable to accomplish their desire. — The me- 
thods they pursued were had in derision by the King of 
l?lion, atid overf a-ed to the quicker spread^ and estiibiisli- 
mcnt of tJIic truth. 

The holy lives of the primitive christians ; the con- 
fitaiicy and intrepidity of the martyrs in prisons. Flames, 
and Death, under the t^n prosecutions oi Rome Heathen^ 
were nrorc c5ectuai to th? promotion of Christianity, than 
aU the stratuG'em, and fu'y of the enemy to its supres- 
aion. — For tiris reason the blood of the Martyrs is called 
the seed of die church. — And thus Christianity triumphed 
ever all its advefsariGs, until Constantinc the great was 
fully seated on the imperial throne, — =when it btcam^the 
established religion of the R^maii Einipire-^And f^r some 



d C ENTUItr-SI.R MON. 9 

^-Imc thechi;:'ch was in prosperity and peace. 
Ho\vcvcr, 

Ecibre the death of Coiistnntinc. the Arian Hcresv ap- 
peiu-ed: and nt last the assei'tcrs of it became so nunicrouy, 
.povverfui and, malevolent, as to persecute those ^vho ad- 
hered to the Apostohc f i'h. 

After tliis, eaine tlie Roman Apostacy, and Papal Ty- 
. rannv; ; errors and superstition overwhelmed the whole 
.\vester;i church— — To which may be added, 
, The Mahometan Imposture in the Eastern ; and the 
oppressing tiie churches of Asia, by the Sai-aeen Po^ver ; 
ujider which they t^roan to this driy. 
.-, But to return ; altho' tlic western church suffered un- 
.dcr Papal oppressions ; yet even in the thickest darkness, 
there vras a remnant, who did not bow the katQ to Baal ; 
the Vaudois, and VV^'aldenses inhabiting the valiies of 
.Piedmont. And, 

■ Besides these, almost in every age God raised up wit- 
nesr-es to the truth, until the sixteenth century ; whtw 
Luther, and a number of pious reformers arose in Gcr- 
ni-iny, boldly contending for the truth, against the errors 
and usurpations of Ri.inc. 

_ And divers Prino-s ofOcrmanv embracing thp reforni- 
edreligioii; boldly in a diet of the Empire, protested a- 
.^^.linat ix decree which \ras made against it ; v\-hercijy 
tf:'^;y acquired the glorious name of Protestants. 
, Prom Germany, the reformudr;:-; spread into Eiigianri; 
y/ay being made for it, by the renouncing of the P;>oes 
rMpremacv*,.andby other transactions in the r.-ig.i of Kinr 

I »e»»rv l.iL »' iii. 

.^;-A:Ad therefore on the accession of Edward the VI. to 
iue Crown,. Arch Bp. Crunuicr, Bp. L-itimer, P.p.. Ridley, 
^nd oih'.r excellent persons, under the i^pprobation and 
patronage ol *h:it pioua Prince, carried it on to a v^ry 
>;'-^isiderubIe lergth... 

. .^.f'iien God thus turned again the captivity of. Sion, 
fhey Were like ihose that dream; then their mouth wis 
I'i.^iij.'vih laur^hter, ar.d tiiey.said among their . isnemies, 
Trie Lord h^a -dene gi-oat thiiigsfo-r them, v.-h'n-eof they 

A\ere gl-u!. . ' . ' . . ... 

ITcwever the^^e pious reform.ers, by reason of the teni- 
pcr iind circu:n:>t.inccs of the times, and the premature 

^ B ' ' 



I o J! CEKTUR r-SER MQ':^. 

vleatl: of that good Prince, could not carry on thb refer* 
matlon so far as they earnestly desired. 

And on the accession of the Princess Maiy, a black 
and hco'v cloiid overspread the noble design; the Roman 
superstition Tvas restored, and the professors of the re- 
fornied religion were persecuted lo the Stake and Death. 
. But on i.he accession of thb Princess Elizabeth, the re- 
formed religion Avas re-established. However, neither 
that illustrious l^rincess, nor King James the I. her suc- 
cessor, nor their clergy > wolild suffer the reforrriatibn to 
be carried on further, than it had been in the reign of 
King jEdward. 

Moreover, in the reign of Q. Elizabeth, an act of Par- 
liament was passed requiring ^;/{/i7;77/i(v in Worship un- 
der very se\'ere Penaltieb;— continued by K. James L 
and more severely itrg*:d by K. Charles 1. 

Our Fathers therefore, earnestly desiring a greater re- 
formation, and liberty to v, orship God according to their 
consciences, chose rather to expose themselves to almost 
2ny hardships, tlian violate them. 

And having obtained liberty of King Jamos the I. tore- 
move, and set dov/n within cert'.iin limiis in America, with 
liberty of worshipping God according to that vray which 
appeared to them most agreeable to Scripture. 

I'heyleft thbir native Couritiy and crossed the Atlan- 
tic, with their families, into this then howling wilder- 
ness — founding the colony of Plymouth in 1620. • 
And the colony of the Massachusetts in the year 16S0. 

And after their arrival, for the trial of their faith ap4 
patience, God exercised them v.ith grevious and n^grtal 
sicknesses, with scarcity & fatninc— Yet theysobji) fif-rcid 
abroad ; and before tht^ ybar 163)5, had founded, the col- 
ony of CpmleCtictit, and had planted in other .»^s. 

Ij But in the year 163C, ihe PequOts, tbt'most fierce 
and warlike of all the Indian tribes in that part of the coui>. 
try, and formidable to nil their neighbours ; heaving com- 
mitted rtiany b;jbarous cutragt^.-^n the Narr£gansctts,tn 
the eashVard, and on the I^Iblicags to tlie noi-th''.vurd of 
t'heTTi; on theEnj^lish U Dutch, as they occasionally came 
among them, andt^n the Planters on Connecticut rivei— - 
The colonies unanimously raised their forces, and cut off 

i See Hubbari'i Narrative, Page 5. 



J CENTURr- S^ERMON. n 

seven hundred ; i:nd part of those that escaped the EngUs^ 
sword, fled to the Mohawks, and uciC destroyed by them; 
and the other were by the linglish subjected 'o, and in- 
corporated with ihe NaiTagansctts and xvloheags. 

After this, there was a general peace and prosperity for 
a considerable term. 

Thus much in general : we now proceed to a pardeu- 
lar consideration of the affairs of this Tov, n. 

In the year 1645, Sholan. iUias Shauniauw,. Proprietor 
ofNashawos-g-ji-nd Sachem of the Nashavva^j', vho iivcdat 
WaushacunCinlormed Tvlr. Thomas King of Water to \m> 
(with whom he traded, and for whom he had a consider- 
able friendship) of the said tract of land as \\ell accommo- 
dated for a Pa.itation, desiring that the English would 
come and set down by him, . 

Accorningly Mr. King, Mr. John Prescot, and others,* 
procured of said Sholan, a Deed of said Nashawogg, ten 
miles in length, and eight in breadth ; ^vith the^i; restric- 
- tions, that the English bhould not moiest the Indians in 
their hunting, fishing, or usual planting places-— And the 
General Court confnmed the Deed. 

On this, the Associates purchased of Mr. King ail his 
Interest in the Premises ; and entered into mutual obliga- 
tion by a certain term to appear on ihe spot, to begin ai d 
carry on the Plantation, and contiacied with a Preacher 
to go on with them. 

Having thus concerted affairs, they sent up divere 
persons, t (to whom they had given Lo'.s) to perform di- 
vers things, at the common expense of the Proprietors^ 
before the time of their general appearance j and die^^ 
"Were the first inhabitants. 

But before the time for their general appearance ; then: 
Minister, to whom they had committed their mutual obli- 
gation, (vk'hether by reason of his own aversion to the 
place, or by the instigation of such of the Proprietors as 
were unwilling to come up themselves, is i^iccrtain) for- 
sook, them, carrying with him said mutual obligation. 
And in consequence of this all the associates, except IVIr. 
Prescot, refus(?dto fulfil their contract, but yet held their 
Interest. So that for the space of seven years, very little 

♦Hamcn Garrett, Thomas Skidmore, Mr. Da-/, Mr. SymondSf&c. 
tRichard Linton, Lavrrence Waters, and John Ball. 



I* A CEKTURr 'SERMON. 

v/asdcr.e to fonv-rd the plantation. — B^it z.t length !:.o!n:; 
of" ihe I'iGt being 'villing to enj^age inore licartily in the 
affuir ; on the eighteenth cf iMay, 165.3, there bein^ N'me 
FaniUifs in the place, they petitioned the General Court 
foron Incorporation, and obtained it by the name of Lan-: 

CASTER. 

FroiTi the year 1654, ]>.Ir. Rov/Iandson preached among 
thcKi, until the 14th of April 1658 ; at whicli time they 
invited hirr. ui settle in the Work of the Ministry anion^ 
them; and he accepted their Invitation, and probably 
was cidaincd the same year. 

The town v/as in I-'eace and Prosperity for the Fpnce C/f 
twenty two years from its Incorporation. — And the In- 
dians were veiy serviceable to the inhabitants, by siippl}'- 
ing them \\ ith such Corn and wild meat as they stood m 
need of; and that on very m.oderate terms. 

But on the twenty-fonrth of June 1675, Philip, Sachem 
of Focanoket, commc:mly. called King- Philip, rebelled a- 
cainstthe English, andbeg.v;n a vcrv 'eioody and destruc- 
ti\-e Vv^ir. 

A. id on the 22d of Aug'jst folloivinc:, eight persons, in 
different parts of the town v.-ere killed.* 

And as the Sachems of the Nan-agansctt country joined 
with Philip in his Rebellion ; so after the destruction of 
Canoniciis'-Fort, commonly called the Narrsgansett-Fort, 
by the forces cf the united colonies, on the 19th of Dc'- 
cember 167-5 — The Indians leavini^ that part of the coun- 
try, moved toward Wachusetr, and, meeting with the 
Nipnets, and Nashawas, in their march, 'persuaded them 
to tJ:]:e up arms against the English ; and after this com- 
bination, part turned back towards Plymouth Colony, 
burning: and destroying as they went along. j] 

But Philip, with the rest, confessed by themselves after 
the neace rcj be 1500 marched for Lnncaster, inv.hich 
there v..'ere then above fifty families — And on t'.-.e 10th of 
F::bruary 15^6, assaulted in five distinct bodies tif places, 
burning mast of tiie unfortified houses, and killing sever- 
al persons, j 

* Mr. George Bennett, Willi.iiji F'agp, Jaccb Farrnr, Jofepji 
Wneeler, Mordecai Mc Load, and his wife, and two cliildren. 

II See Hubbard, Page 6o- 

+ Mr. Jonas Fairbank, Jofhua Fairbanlr, Ricl^ard Wheeler* at 
Wbeelei'.s Gairifcr.— I-f hinim Sawyer at Pidcott's G.^riifcn.' And 
in rt]?er j^laces Henry Farrar- And— Ball & Wife. 



d GE STUR r- SE-R MON: 1 5 

However, the}' deatr-oyed no Garrison, but that bclonpj'r 
sHe^ to the Rev. Mr. Roniandson ; in Avhich, thcrs were 
soid'icrs cUid inhabit^ints to the number of forty-two. AvJi 

Ao there was no fortification on the back of the houFic, 
a!id the English bein«' unable to plv their shfit on that 
i'lde ; the enemy having' loaded a Cart with ccmbtistible 
matter, pushed it fianiing to the hoMse •, and th\?s being 
reduced to the sad nec^ssitj'- of cither perishing in the 
1\;in-ics, or resigning theniseives to ihc Savagej;, ihey sur- 
icnd<^red. 

On this, the Men, except one who mndehi?, escapt,* 
%vere shin,^ or reserved for torture- — And about twenty 
of the Women and Chiklix-n were carried into Captivity ; 
among whirh, was the Consort of the Rev. Mr. RowJand- 
f5on ; an account of whose Captivity, Sufferings andReturn, 
VvTitten by her own hiind, you h:ive doubtless many oi 
you seen in Print. 

Mr. Rowhndson ^vas tlien at Boston, solicitlr!,9: tlic 
Governor and Council for more soldiers for the protec*- 
tion of the place — And on his retiim, raetthe heavy ftcvvs, 
^vhich he received with a becoming; submiaoion and mdg-- 
luinimity. 

jl One of the Women taken at this time being unabte 
io travel by reason of her Pregnancy, and beir.g also veiy 
discontented, the Indians made a lai-ge hre, formed a ring 
ubcut her, and first knocked her on the head, stript hi-r 
naked, and cast her into it. -r- — But 

The women and children in e-eneral, snfFered no other 
eviis nmong the enemy th;ia v/h^t were unavoidable frcia 
a state cf captivity, and the wants the Indians themselves. 
were in — And most of them Merc returned. 

Capt. \vadsw'ortu hearhig of the assault of the town 
at I larlborough, where he then xrcs, wiih f(>rty brave 
mcri, marched immediately tp its relief- — And as there 
was tnea a vcr\ considerabjc flood, iw.d die rivcroFcon- 
sequeiiCC every where unpassablc but «^t the i-iridge ; the 
hidi ms had taken from thence the plunks to ]?rcvtnt the 

* ]pp]i.Ta!.m Roper. 

K Etili^n Divol, Abraham Joflin, Dariirl G:utis, Thorn;!"; Row- 
landlcm, William 5: Joieph Kcrley, Jolin Mc Load, John Kctile, 
and two Sons, Jfifiah Divol. .1;c. 

N. B. Cant. K-r'ey's Wife, an,d Ephraini Roper's Wijc, were a' ■ 
i^ killed iij attcD/jnuig lo cfcH|ie. jl ALruKiini Jc fiui wiic. 



14 A CE^'TURrSERMON. 

passing of Horsemen — And ambushed to prevent the 
passing of Footmen ; but had left their ambushment be- 
fore tlie arrival of Capt. Wadsu-orth, who therefore pass- 
ed it unmolested, and entered the town undiscovered, and 
forced the enemy for the present to quit it-T-Ke quarter- 
ed his men in various parts of the town, and tarried some 
days ; but before his departure, lost one of his men * by 
the Indians. 

This is that famous Capt. Wadsworth, who afterwards 
widi Capt. Brocklebank, and the much greater part of 
their men, gloriously fell in the cause of their countiy in 
a fight with the enemy at Sudbury. But to return — 

About six weeks after the assault of the town, it being 
judged untenable under the ihen present circumstances, 
both of that and the country ; the remainder of the inhab- 
itants, except ore f who was killed that very day by the 
enemy, drew off under a guard of Horse and Foot. — 
And immediately on this desertion of the place, every 
building that remained, save two, were reduced to ashes. 

Ar^d in this state of Desolation the town continued for 
about four j'-ears.J 

During this dispersion of the Lancaster people, the 
Rev. Mr. Rov/landson, was invited to preach at Weathers- 
field in the color.y of Connecticut, aiid died before tlie re- 
settlement of the town. 

After the re- settlement, divers gentlemen for the 
space of se\'en years supplied the pulpit. (| 

In Feb. 1688, Mr. John whiting v/as invited to preach 
on Probation; and continued preaching until Nov. 1690, 
when he w^as invited to settle in the Work of the Minist- 

♦^ Geore;e Harrington at Prefcott's Mill. 

•f John Roper. 

;j: It may be proper to obfcrve here. That Sholan, v^'ho conycyed 
this tract of land to the EngUfh, always behaved in a peaceable and 
/rieno'iy manner towards them. That Matthew, who was his ncphr 
ew, an d fuccecded him as Sachem of the tribe, was always in good 
terms with the Englifh. — But that Sagamore Sam, who was nephr 
ew to Matthew, and fucceeded him, was of a different temper, and 
charaf^er ; and joining wiih Philip in his rebellion, was taken bj 
the Englifl-i, and executed as a Rebel. Thofe of the tribe who fur- 
vived tile war, diyided ; one part moving to Albany, and tht other 
to Pcnicook, with which tribe they incorporated. 

tl Mr. Carter, Mr. Wooddroife, and Mr. Oakes. 



'A CENTURY-SERMON. is 

Vy ; aiid he accepting the invitation, was probably soon 
after ordained. 

In 168S, William, Prince of Orange, arrived in Eng- 
land, and King James the Second abdicated the Throne; 
whose cause the French King espousing, involved the 
Nation in a v/ar with France, and New.Enghnd in a 
wai- with the Canadians, French and Indians— In the cal- 
amities of which this tov/n had a large share. 

For on the 18th of July, 1692, the Indians assaulted 
the house of Mr. Peter Josiin, * v/ko v/as at his labour in 
the field— and knew nothing of it till entering the house, 
found his wife and three children, and a woman :|: that 
lived in his family, barbarously butchered by their hatchi 
ets, and weltering in their gore. 

His wife's sister, \ with another of his children were 
carried into captivity — She returned : but that child wjis 
murdered in the wilderness — Thus was he stript naked, 
and called to bitter weeping and lamentation. 

in 1695, on a Lord's Day Morning, Mr. Abraham 
Wheeler, going fromGamsonto his own house, on som*e 
occasion, was there shot by an enemy, that had lain in 
ambush for him ; but altho' mortally v/ounded, he rested 
the gun from him, andbro't it towards the Garrisc'n, un- 
^il met by his friends. 

in 1697, a considerable body of the enemy, under five 
commandei-3. but one in chief, came and lurked in the 
woods for seme tinie, sending in their scouts by nigh I: to 
observe the posture of the town.— And havi p.g dene this, 
they determined to begin the attack on INIr.T'homas Saw- 
yers Garrison ;. and the firing at that v/as to be a signal 
to all the rest, to fall on in their respective stations. 

And accordingly on the eleventh of September, when 
the inhabitants, suspicious of no enemy, were gone out 
to their labour ; they came in seveiTi companies into the 
toMn, and w^re very near suq^rizing said Savn-er's Gar- 
Hson, both the gate's being left open ; but that Mr. Jabez 
Fairbank, who vras at liis own holism half a mile's dis- 
tance, and designing to bring his little son from said Gar- 
rison, mounted his horse which Cvame running to liim ia 
a fright ; and rode full speed into the gate, but yet noth- 

* He dill fiiivives in the 83th vear of hi? a^e. 

t The Widow VVhitcnrnb, ' ^ Y^^(^hr^h How. 



zrig suspicious of an eitcmy — Uo'.vcver* this was a incar^ 
ofsanngthe Garrison: for the cncrny \\ ho were jui^t 
rcn-dy i'j rush into it, supposing ih-i^v were discovered, 
gitvc over that clesi^ra ; and fired at such as w;^-c out in 
tlie fields. 

At thiit time, the R?v. Mr. Johr^ "vVhitlng bcin^ on 
soirsc OGcnsion at ii distance from his G-n-rlsoit, ihcy sur- 
prised unci ki^cd him.— They indeed ofIe:-cd hhu 'quar- 
ter ; but lie ch'o:^e. raiiic!- to iip^ht to the hstj. than, resign 
hlinseli'to didsc w1}o.^e tender mercies are cr-jclty. — 

At tliAi .s.-i:Tie dine they killed twenty others ; Wvounded 
two but r.ot ivfoytally; and captivated six, five of wiiom. 
returned. [1 . 

OV. *;d.i sorrowful oceasion, the town seta-part a day 
Sji' Prayer and I:astinf^, 

r'rcin iC&y to 17'^0» several gentlemen, supplied the 

Tulpi^.f 

111 M.-y 1701, r.Ir. x\ndrcw Gardner was invited to 
preucht iiiid in September follo'wing was invited to scttiij 
in the rvtird.try. 

In 1704 there came an arrny of seven hundred French 
aiul Indians froin Cani-.da — Vvdih two Tribes, under the 
' '»" '-^ Ciinimand of iMansi *IiOoeore, desi-^ned for Northampton. 
—But a deseiler came and pave notice of their numberii 
;ifHl approaei). — And those • western frontier.^ were season- 
illy streni^thened. 

Moreover, in tlieir n":arcli there arose a mutiny an;ong 
tliem about the division of th.c piander ; and tb- conteii- 
tiun rose so high, that above tvv'o hdndrcd c^f them return- 
ed — But tjie rest came on, and nent out their scouts, who 
reported, that t'nc Enc^hsh were ready in great i^iirnbersto 
receive tlicm. —xy-a this they called a Council of War, in. 

,'f Killed. Rev. Mr. Whltin;^', Daniel Hudrm itn'I hii Vs'-.f-z a.! J 
twa Daa'.rhfcrs, Ephraim Ruf>«;r and XX'iic and D'aii^^htcr, Johi: 
Skait and Wife, Jareph Rug;? and wife and three Children, the wid- 
ow !liiL(g, JonAth;ua FairbAiik and two children, and two Children 
ct N'.ith-.iuicl Hiidibn. 

C.ipiiva'evt, Jonathan Fairhink*s Wife, th: vidow Whecl;r, 
Kpliraiin Ropct's Son, Joha Skait's Son, Joicph Ru.::^^s;'s Son, and 
Mary ClaCci. 

f Mr. Robinfon, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Whitman. Mr. J.''ncs was 
iijvitc-d to jcttle, but difiicuUics. arifiz^, his Oidin^tion was pra- 
v:iiteJ, and he rcnicved. 



ACEMTUR r-SER MOW h^ 

which they conclridedtolay a?;ide the design caNorthamp- 
^ji — .-^iid to bt:ut up for Volaittcers, for the assault of 
Lancaster ; and a k'.r«^e number enlisted- *^" 
. And Qi\ the 30th of July they came within about two 
miles of the Town — and encamped, and by night sent in 
their spiejto observe the Poiiturc of the r^nglish. — x\rid 
on the 51'jt they fell furiously upon the town early in the 
morning : and in their first onset killed Lieut. Nathaniel 
Wilder, near the gate of his own Garrison. — -And the 
same day three otliers near the same Garrison, i" 

The enemy were uncommonly brave : and therefore 
altho' Capt. Tyng,who had the command of the Garrison 
soldiers ; and Capt. Hovr, who on the alarm, marched 
immediately from Marlborough with what men he could 
suddenly raise ; and the inhabitants maintained a warm 
dispute with them for some time ; yet being m.uch in- 
ferior in number v^^re obliged to retreat into Garrison. — 
On which they burnt the Meeting- House, and six other 
buildings, &: destroyed much of the live stock of the tov/n. 
Note. VVhat numbers of the en.emy were killed, either in 
the field, or at the other Ggrrison is uncertain, but is 
tliouglit te be considerable — among the rest a French, 
oficer of some distinction, was mortallv wounded, 
\\'hich greatly exaspci-ated their spirits. 
Before night there came such numbers to the relief of 
tlie town, tliat the enemy retreated ; and aitliough pur- 
sued> yet were not overtaken. Kad they likcthose in I5G'7 
tarried till the inhabitants were dispersed to theiz labour-; 
they might in all human probability, have done much 
■ greater mischief, if they had. not entirely destroyed the 
town. —But God had mere}'' on hi:-: people. 

Oi; the 2Gt]i of October followins:, there having" been a 
party of the enemy discovered at Still- River, the soldiers 
and inhabitants belono-lnfr to the Rev. Mr. Gardner's Gar- 
nson, with divers cthc; s, went in quest of them ; who 
returning in the evening fatigued vrith the service of the 
day— Mr. Gardner, in compassion took the Watch tlKit 

* Some of the accmir.:'; vrhich Mr. Penhaliow hath given of the 
njilchicfs done in this town by the enemy, are in divers cp.fes nc: 
only impcrfcifi, but very erroneous, which are doubtlcis o'-ing to the 
wrong inforrr.ation he hid. 

+ Abrahn.n^. How, Jr.hn Snraildin??. and Benjarriin Hutchlns." 



1% J CENTURT-SERMON. 

night upon himself ; and coming out of the Box late at 
night, on some occasion, was heard bv one between sleep- 
ing and v;?.king in the house, who supposing him an ene- 
my, seized the first gun v.hich came to hand, and shot 
him through the body in the Parade Jj 

But the fatal misu\!:e immediately appeared ; and lie 
being carried into the house, forgave tlie person that shot 
him ; and in an hour or two expired, to the great grief 
net only cf his consort, but of his pecplcj who had an 
exceeding value for him.f 

In i^vlay 1 705, Mr. John Prentice was preaching a- 
fnong them, and continued preachln.?, until Feb. 1707, 
when he was invited to settle in the Work of the Minist- 
ry, and accepted the invitation. 

On the iSth of October 1705, Mr. Thomas Sawyer, 
with his son, :j: and another was captivated. 

On the ISth of July 1707, Mr. Jonathan 'vA^hite v/as 
killed by the Indians 

And on the 18 th of August following,- twent}--four stout 
Indians, v/ho according to their own account had all been. 
Captains, came to iviarlborough, and captivated Mr. Jon- 
athan Vv'ilder, a native of this town, and but lately remov- 
ed from it. — The next day being pursued by about thir- 
ty of Maiiborou gh and Lancaster ; and overtaken — the 
front of our men came upon them before tbey had the 
least apprehension of a pursuit. 

Their packs were all slung, and it being a misty day, 
tlieir cases were on tiieir guns. — And therefore had ours 
all run down upon them, they might easily ha've destroyed 
or t^ken all, and j;aved tlie life of the captive. — -The ene- 
my them.seb-es at the ili'st appearance of our men, had de- 
termined to resig-n themselv/s to their merc}\ — But ob- 
rendng that but tcr; of the thirty came down upon them, 
t!iey took courage, unr:iurg tb •!;• packs, andfoi'fdit like 
iren — having first dispatched their capli'.c. 

In this action, the enemy lost nine, and all their packs; 
and on our p:ut two,* were killed, and two •) •\^•ounued» 

'! Mr Samuel Prcfcot. 

■^ Mr. Orirdncr wx'^ not ord.unei. 

I Kli-AS Sawyer .inJ John Biglo. 

"" Mr. Jnhn FaTrrir, an;l olnglettiry. 

^ Mr. £;''^iralm Wildpr, and Mr. Samuel '.Ucvens.- 



A CE NTUR T'SER MON. 1 3 

but not mortally. 

It ought to be observed, again, that but ten of oi:rmen 
were in the action. 

On iheSO of March 1708, tlie Rev. Mr. John Pren- 
tice was ordained. 

On Aug-UAt 5, 1710, apart3^orthe enemy coming by 
the advantaoje of the biishes, very near to IVir Nathaniel, 
and Mr. Oliver Wilder, and an Indian servant, at la- 
bour in th(i neld, nred upon them. The servant was kil- 
led but they escaped to the Garrison. — And this is the last 
mischief that hath been done by them in this tovv'n. 

The Records of the church in Mr. Rowlandscn's time, 
v/ere in all probability consumed in his Garrison. — And 
the Records in Mr. Whiting's day not beingto be found, 
we have no account of the number of Communicants, 
or of Baptisms, t>om the four^ding of this church to the 
ordination of the Rev. Mr. Prentice in 1708, 

But dunni2: Mr. Prentice's Ministns 331 were receiv. 
cdto full communion, and 1593 baptjzed. 

After a life of much service, faithfulness, and loved, 
on the 6th of January 1747,8, the R.ev. Mr. Prentice de- 
ceased, greatly lamented. 

From the last recorded by Ifnn, to the re-settlement of 
the Ministry on Nov. 16, 1748, were 38 baptisms. 

And from the re-settlemet to this day, 70 Persors 
have been admitted to full communion, and 183 baptized. 

So that from March 1708, to this day, 491 have been 
admitted to full communion, and 1814 baptized. 

Of tlie Members in tills church v/iis formed a consider- 
able part of the Church in FLirvard in 1733. 
The church in Bolton, in 1741. 
In part, the church in Leominster, 1743. 
The church in the second precinct, in 17't4. 

With Propriety therefore this Church m:iy say ; Many 
a time have thev aliticted me from mv vcuth, many a 
time have they afflicted me from my youth ; yet tlicy 
have not prevailed against me. 

Proceed we nov/ to a brief connideration of tlie 

XL Thing, viz. The Church and People of Ctoi^ as- 
cribing unto iiiM ihe Glory of their Preservation. 

7'ct they Jiaxtc not prevailed agalmt ::ic, is designed not 
only toa:.>sertth<':lr Piei^ervaliori from utter Ruin, but also 



2,o ji CENTURT-SERMON. 

to ascribe the gloiy of it unto God—Unto God, \\]-»o in 
consequence oi" their peculiar relation to Kim, and of his 
gracious promises to Theni, had gloriously appeared 
lor them in Egypt, and at the Red- Sea ; and' often aftcr- 
wards, when endangered or oppressed by enemies, more 
numerous and povveriul than themselves.. 

These Ascriptions arc common in the sacred pages. — 

* We have heard ^vith our ears, O God, cur fathers have 
^ told us v/hat v/ork thou didst in their da}'s, in the times 

* of old ij — ' If it had not been the Lord who was on our 
' side, now nuay Israel say— If it had not been the Lord,. 
' ■who ^^'as en our side, when men rose up against us ; 

* then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath 
' was kindled against us: — Then the waters had o\er- 

* whelmed us ; then the proud waters had gone over our 
*■ soul— Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us a prey 
'^ to their teeth— Our help is in the m me of the Lord.f 

These acknowledgements and ascriptions are not orly 
founded oil the reason and nature of thino-s ; but also 
enjoined by divine aiuhorit)^ to keep divine Ijencfits in 
memory, to inspire succeeding generations w-ith gratitude 
and to engage them effectually in the feai' and service of 
■the most high God — Accordingly we have the church of 
Israel assigning this as a reason of her practice. 

' We v(.ill shew to the generation to come the praises, 

* of the Lord, and his strength and his wonderful works 
^ that he hath done — For he established a testimony in 

* Jacob, and appomteda law in Israel, v/hich he com- 
' manded our fatners that they should make them known 

* to their cliildrcn-^-Thai the generation to come might 

* know them, even the children v hich should be born ; 
' who should arise and declare them to their children — 
' That ihey might set their hope in God, and not forget 
Mhe \^0iks of God, but keep his commands, and be sted- 
' fast with him, \ 

The deliverance of Israel from oppression and bondage 
in Lgypt, was to be celebrated w'lih. solemn festivit}', & 
with the reason of it carefully to fee transmitted by divine 
appointment to posterity — ' And thou shalt sh^ w thy son 
in that day, i-^aying, Thi;; is done because of that which 
the Lord did unto me,wi!en I came cut of Egypt, — And 

li Pf.il. 44. I. + Pfal. 124—145, ir — —H- mdtifi.Ifai. 63, ?,». 
^ Ffalm. 78. 4— 7.incluii. 



A CEKTUR r- SER MON. ? % 

it£;baUbe fc/ a sii^m unto thee, that t;ic .Lord's La\y 
may bt in ihy mouth ; thou thcrcibre didt. keep ihis ordi- 
n;j\cc.* 

And whenHaiTi?.n, avIio •".Tis of the blood royal of Am- 
aleck, Dad therefore tie r^atura: enemy of L-;racl, plotted 
their destruction tbroiigh tlie v/hole Pci'i:iun Empire, and 
had procured of A'uiiucrus i decree for timt purpor.e; 
God by a very signal interponitio'-i cast him into the pit 
which heiiad dig-;?cd, and bro't his devises upon his own 
head, biit p;ave joy and gladness and a good day unto the 
Jews. — Wiierefore Ivlordecai (no doubt by divine diiTx;- 
tion) appointed this PreserAation to be celebrated anuiial- 
ly with festivity and joy on t!:e fourteenth and liftccntli 
days of the month Ad«r. — This was celebr<.ited witli 
thanksgiving and praise to God. t 

And as the cornmein oration of God's appearing to the 
relief oi his people under their distresses is of divine ap- 
pointment ; we accordingly find them ascribinf^- the glory 
to l^im.— Thus after the destmction of Pharaoh and iiis 
host in die Red-Sea, Moses and tlie people of Israel give 
God the praise — ' The Lord hath triumphed glorioui^iy : 
' the horse and his rider he hath thrown into the sea. — 
' The Lord is my strength and my salvation — Thy right 
' hand, O Lord, is glorious inpo'ver — and hath da.sutd 

* in pieces the enemy. 't 

When Deborah and Barak delivered Israel from the 
oppression of Jabin King of ]h'azcr,thcy in their triumphal 
.song give all tht glory unro God. — ■ Praise ye the Lord 
' for the avenging of Israel — Lord, wlien thou vvcntest 

* outofSeir,when thou marchedst out of the field ofiulom: 

* the cartii trembled, and the Heavens dropped ; the 
' mountains melted before the Lord God of Israel — Thcy 

* fought from Heaven, the Stars in their courses fought a- 
gainiit Siscra, and the River Kisbon swept them av/ayJj 

And when the Lord with thunder and lightning dis- 
comfitted the Philistines before his people, who pursued 
them to the confines of their own country ; Samuel took 
a stone and set it up betvy-een Mizpeh and Shen, and cal- 
led the name of it Ebcnezcr^ sa}'ing, Hid:crto tivj Lord 
hath helped us. ^ 

* Exod. 13. 8/;-,ro. -f Efih. 9,20, &c. + Exni. i;. 
jl Judges 5, * i Sam. 7. 12, 



z 2 J CENTUR r-SER MON. 

And what shall I more say ? For the lime would fail 
me to tell of David and of Asa, and of Jehosaphat, 
and of Hczekias, and of other worthies ; who w'Vih. the 
prophets and people of God, gave Him the ^lory of their 
preservation under aSiction and in distress trom enemies. 

And as the reason of these ascriptions hath always been 
the same, and the same spirit of gratitude hatn rested 
upon the saints of all succeeding ages ; so the christian 
church hath alwaj's given to the same God the glor}' of 
her preservation, under the nunierous evils v/hich have 
been bro't upon her by her enemies — whetlier men or 
devils . 

And wellm.ay the inhabitants of this country join with 
the church in all preceeding times, in giving glory to the 
God of salvation. 

For when they were few in number, v.hen they v/ere 
far from human help, in a howling wilderness, and sur- 
rounded ^rith numerous Barbarians v/ho thirsted for their 
blood, and often plotted their destruction ; God the God 
cf Israel vcas their saviour — 7'he}^ trusted in liim, and 
were not ashamed— And notwithstanding all the attempts 
of their enemies, whether American or European, are yet 
a gro-Aing people. 

The habitations of cruelty are become a valley of vi- 
sion — Where Satan v/as worshipped "vvith horrid rites, 
the God of Heaven is now adored — The solitary places 
rejoice, the wilderness blossometh as the rose, and the 
C'lorv of Sharon is o-lven unto it. 

Surely, it was God that bro't a vine from far, cast out 
the heathen before it, planted it, and caused it to take 
root, and fill the land ; so that the hills are co\'ercd v/ith 
the shadow, and the bows thereof are like the goodly ce- 
dars. 

God c-'rant, that the hedcres mav not be broken down, 
that it may never be plucked by those that pass by, that 
the Boar out of the wilderness may never waste it, nor the 
wild beasts devour it ; but m.iy the glory cf ihc Lord be 
upon it from Generation to Generation. 

But the present Assembly calls for a particular •ddress. 

IjrctVjieii, as through the good hand of our God upon 
u?, wc thij dav seethe compleuon cf a Century from 
Uie incorpor.itioaof ihcTo'vf); and have recollected some 



A CENTURT'SERMOll t^ 

of the signal mercies of God to cur fatliers under their 
numerous afHictions by the enemy ; v/e may with Pro- 
priety join v/ith Israel of old, and say, 

* if it had not been the Lord who was on our side ; if 

* it hud not been the Lord who was oa our side, when 

* men rose up against us ; then they had swallowed us 

* up quick, when their vvradi was kindled ag?iinst us. — 

* Blessed be the Lord who hath not given us a prey to 
'their teeth — Oar help is in the name of the Loid — 
Who reigns in Zion head over all things unto his church 
— And will reign, till all opposing rule, authority and 
power shall be put down, and the time come for deliver- 
ing the kingdom of God, even the father!, and for pre- 
senting his church without spot, and with exceeding joy 
before the presence of his glory. 

As the church was purchased by his cv;n blood, the 
Father hath In all ages committed the preservation of it 
to Him : and as Mediator vested him with all pov. cr 
in heaven and earth. In all the afflictions of his people, 
he v/as afflicted, in his love and in his pity he redeemed 
them, he bare them, and carried them all the days of old; 
He was the refuge of our fathers in their distresses. Let 
us therefore mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord, 
and the praises of the Lord, according to all that lie hath 
bestowed upon us — And the great goodness towards the 
house of Israel, v/hich he hath bestov/ed according to his 
mercy, and acicording to the multitude of his loving 
kindnesses. 

Let the consideration of these thinsrs animate us. 

1.) To a firm and unshaken confidence in Kim under 
rH adversity. 

This is one important end for Vw-hich the merciful ap- 
peararxe of God for our fathers in thr-if distresses are to 
be recollected. He commanded our fathers that they 
should make them known to their children, that they 
might set their hope in God. 

2.) Let these things excite us to a sincere compliance 
witli oil his precepts, v/hether relating to failh or practice. 

This also is another important use to be made of them, 
i'hat they might set their hope in God, and not forget his 
works, but keep his commandments. 

And v.'ithcut a sincere rcg;n\l to divine precepts, our 



24 . ji CENTURr-SRRMOh\ 

ci6nndenc€ uill he presuiTiption. For there is no prorrji.se 
of protection or biessh:g to such as persevere in disobe- 
dience and unbelief. 

If ye forget the Vv'orks of the Lord, and walk not in jiis 
^"ays, ye may well cxi}ect to be abandoned to all eviL' 
Thib' i'i evident from the history of Israel — 'For when Jo- 
shua and all that generation v. ei'e gathered to their fathers } 
rAvi there arose cnother creneration, who knew not the 
Vv'orks of the L.ord, whicli lie j^id done in Israel ; Tliey 
fbrsook the Lord God of tliell- fathers, an.d followed after 
the. Gods of the People that ^vere round about them, and 
provoked the Lord to aas^r — -And he delivered them in- 
to the hands* of Spoilers, that spoiled them, and sold 
them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that 
they could not stand any longer before their enemies. 

Whethersoever th.ey went out, the harjd of the Lord 
was ag"ainst them for evil ; as the Lord had said, and as 
the Lord had swora unto them, and they Vvcre greatly 
distressed. 

Muse therefore on his wonders of old, and on his v/orks 
in the days of your fathers, until the Sre shall burn v/ithin 
' you — until sacred ardors shall rise in your souls^ and an- 
imate you to the mosi; cheerful trust and obedience. 

Ye ai-e the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and the 
children of the covenant which he made v'ith them — ' 
Fiilfil therefore the obligations^ as ye expect the blessings 
'i>i that Covenant. — Let your hearts be stedfastin it. 

Be ambitious of imitating whatever was excellent in 

your ancestors — ^Consider from whence ye are fallen — ' 

I Your works are not perfect before God ; Remember 

I tliercfcre how ye have received and heard, &: re|>ent — ^and 

\ strengthen the things that remain and are ready to die. 

Is not this the voice of your fathers, ' And yc our 
I * children, know ye the God of your fathers, and serve 
( ' him with perfect hearts and willing minds j if ye seek 
\ ' hini he will be found of you, but if you forsake him he 
1 ' will cast you off forever.* 

Your fathers ^S-'^the heat and burden of the day, they 

( submitted to many hardships and dangers ; not only that 

1^ they might leave unto you a fair temporal inheritance, as 

\ it is this day ; hut also, what they esteemed infinitely 

!i'i preferable, that they might leave yom ia the e ^joymcut of 



CINTUR T-SER MON. ij 

'of tBe Gospe] in its purity — For the sake of this they 
ventured their hvts ia this wiidcraess— For ihis, tl-ev ex- 
posed themselves io perils by sea, to perils m the wilder- 
ness-, to perils by the heathen, and to various evils. 
. And ye at-c risen up in your fu h rs stead ; and prosper- 
ity shines in full orb upon you — S^and fast therefore ill 
"tlie Lil>erty wherewith Christ hath made you ^rt^f^. 

Give commandment to your household, and to vour 
seed after vou, to ^vaJk in all the commandments an^ or- 
(di.ianccs of the Lord biumcless, and to do mercv and 
judgment— That they also may give the same in charge 

to iheirs — from generation to generation 

. That the divine blessing may be upon them, ^Jid the 
Kiiigdoni of God be advanced by them,. 



AMEN, 




//^ 



V" 



J P F E N JD I X. 

THE following narrative is added, to fatisfy the curlofity of 
fuch as feel a particular concern in the hiftory of Lancafter, an4 to 
perpetuate fads, which may be interefting to future generations. 

In the more advanced ilages of their ancient fettlement it has 
fcen good days according to the days in which in its infancy it was 
aSii^ed, It has not fultained the common interruption of union 
or profpcrity. Few churches in New-Enghmd have been f;ivoured 
by Providence with fo long enjoyment of their paftors. "With only 
«.n intermiilion of about ten months; the iniuiUry of Rev. Mr. 
i'RENTiCE, and Rev. Mr. Harrington filled up a period of more 
than eighty years. Some of the aged ftill living agree with thofe 
who have retired from the fccne in teRifying to the fidelity, zeal, 
and profeffional eminence of Rev. Mr. Prentice. 

The Rev. Mr. Harrington has ever been venerated as a model 
of minifterlal excellence. With a good portion of fcientific and 
theological attainments he united fjngular pertinency and fervour 
in the performance of devotional exerciles. He was alio a pattern 
of cbriftiau cheerfulnefs and affability, of fympathy with the fick, 
ii.nd afn:6ted,and of compaiilon to the poor. The tribute of refpe<5k 
and atledion ftill heartily rendered by furvivors to his nismory is a 
folid proof of his preeminent virtues. 

After being unable from the infirmities of age for neatly four 
years to perform the duties of the twiniftry, he died Dec. i8, '795* 

During his miniftry, 478 were admitted to the communion of the 
Church, and to 1551 the ordinance of baptifm was adniiniftcrcd. 

Itfhould be recorded in lionour of the people, whom he lerved, 
that with unanimity and forwardnefs they paid his fa!a;y in full 
to the day of his death, and generoufiy defrayed the expence of the 
funeiah 

On the gth of Of^ober 1793, the Rev. Nath.aniel Thayer was 
ordained colleague Fader with the Rev. Timothy Harrington. 

Since that time 166 periiMis have made a publick profeffion of 
religion and been received 10 the enjoyment of chriftian oruinances; 
4.1 3 liHve been l>anti/cd. 

Iht uni-on and flourifliing Rate of the Tcv.'n form a ground of 
hope, tnal the picibnt gtneration v/ill prove worthy of the privil- 
figcb and bkulngs fccurcd for them bv u :ace of vijiuous and pious 
iiiiceflors. 



jfLY 10, I Sou 



^^r^^.'-^^.^^L,^^^'^ 



BD^13 



